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Muscles/Neck

Neck

mylohyoid

my-lo-HY-oyd

The mylohyoid forms the floor of the mouth, elevating the hyoid and floor during swallowing and speech. It supports tongue movement for chewing tough foods in bulking diets. Key for jaw stability in powerlifters.

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Common Pain & Injury

Strains from yawning or TMJ issues cause submandibular pain. Swelling possible. See doc for floor-of-mouth swelling or fever.

Anatomy & Function

Origin

Mylohyoid line of mandible (inner lower jaw ridge)

Insertion

Hyoid bone and median raphe (chin to hyoid)

Actions

  • Elevates hyoid/floor of mouth (swallowing)
  • Depresses jaw (assists opening)

Innervation

Inferior alveolar nerve (CN V3)

Muscle Relationships

Antagonists

Digastric posterior

Synergists

GeniohyoidOmohyoid

Trigger Points

Under jaw; refers to ear, teeth, or supraclavicular area.

Stretches

1Mylohyoid yawn
2Under-chin massage
3Hyoid drop

Common Conditions

Mylohyoid strainSialadenitis

Anatomical Parts

Right mylohyoidLeft mylohyoid

FAQ

What does mylohyoid do?

Lifts mouth floor and hyoid for swallowing.

Mylohyoid pain under jaw?

Strain from wide yawns or clenching.

Floor of mouth muscle pain?

Tight mylohyoid refers to ear/jaw.

Exercises for mylohyoid

8

Also Works mylohyoid

1

Related Neck Muscles

arytenoid cartilage
Paired laryngeal cartilages in throat enabling voice production via vocal cord movement. Not muscle but closest for neck; singers train supporting muscles. Vital for breathing/speaking.
Ascending part of right trapezius
The ascending part of the right trapezius is the uppermost portion of the trapezius muscle on the right side, running from the base of the skull and upper cervical spine up toward the clavicle and shoulder. It elevates the scapula (shoulder blade) and assists in neck extension and rotation, crucial for shrugging movements and maintaining upright posture during lifts. Strong ascending traps prevent neck strain in overhead presses and rows.
cervical rotator
Cervical rotators are deep neck muscles like obliquus capitis inferior and splenius cervicis that turn the head side-to-side. Located deep in the upper cervical spine, they enable rotation for looking over shoulder. Vital for neck mobility in sports and daily turns.
cricothyroid
The cricothyroid is a small intrinsic laryngeal muscle in the anterior neck, tensing vocal cords for higher pitch. Located between cricoid and thyroid cartilages, it's key for singing and speaking. Matters for vocal athletes like singers.
digastric
The digastric has anterior and posterior bellies under the jaw, opening the mouth by depressing mandible. Runs from mandible to mastoid via sling, key for chewing and yawning.
geniohyoid
Thin neck muscle under chin pulling hyoid forward/up, geniohyoid aids swallowing and tongue movement. Supports neck stability in planks.
hyoglossus
The hyoglossus is a thin tongue muscle running from the hyoid bone (under chin) up into the tongue's side. It depresses and retracts the tongue, aiding swallowing and speech. Rarely targeted in fitness, but dysfunction affects eating and breathing mechanics.
iliocostalis cervicis
Iliocostalis cervicis is the neck portion of the erector spinae, running vertically along upper back to cervical ribs. It extends and laterally bends the neck, vital for posture in overhead lifts and sports. Supports head stability in fitness.

Neck Pain Guide

Common causes and relief

Activities & Sports

See which activities use mylohyoid

Pinpoint·Interactive 3D Anatomy & Exercise Guide